As co-chair of Baker Sterchi’s Construction Practice Group, Heather Shore has extensive experience representing contractors and subcontractors in complex construction and commercial matters. She regularly arbitrates construction disputes and has resolved more than 150 pre-litigation matters, helping clients avoid costly litigation. A member of the American Arbitration Association’s Panel of Construction, Commercial, and Consumer Arbitrators, Heather is known for her practical approach to risk management and dispute resolution—an approach she brings to her work as a neutral.
With a lifelong connection to the building trades and over 26 years of experience in construction law, Heather brings both practical insight and legal precision to her role as a neutral. We asked her how that background informs her work on the AAA Construction Panel.
Q: Tell us about your background in construction law or the construction industry.
Heather: I grew up in a family of carpenters and fell in love with construction litigation early in my career—and I’ve never looked back. I thrive on the intensity of helping construction clients solve problems in real time and navigating the complexities of completing or litigating troubled projects when necessary. I have a particular interest in handling claims under the Contract Disputes Act, delay claims, and termination claims—all of which involve a myriad of issues that must be quickly identified and resolved to deliver cost-effective solutions for clients facing tight margins, especially in today’s uncertain environment. I have been handling construction and surety matters for over 26 years.
Q: What types of construction disputes do you typically handle as an arbitrator or mediator?
Heather: As an arbitrator and mediator, I have handled mechanic’s lien disputes, matters involving multi-family residential and mixed-use projects, as well as complex cases related to federal contracts and large commercial construction projects.
Q: What drew you to ADR work in the construction space?
Heather: Construction litigation inherently involves extensive documentation and numerous complex issues and sub-issues, which can be overwhelming for some. However, I am naturally intellectually curious and committed to doing the work—reviewing the documents thoroughly and carefully analyzing the claims—to genuinely understand the parties’ dispute and work toward the right outcome. I love what I do, and I believe that my passion comes through in my work, whether serving as an advocate or a neutral in the construction industry.
Q: What do you value most about serving as a neutral on the AAA’s Construction Panel?
Heather: I am humbled by the responsibility of making decisions that can have significant economic consequences for the parties, and I take that responsibility very seriously. I deeply value the trust placed in me as an arbitrator and strive to reach the right decision in every case in which I serve as a neutral.